Aglianico Flashcards
1
Q
Where is Aglianco found in Italy?
A
- Campania, Basilicata, Puglia, Abruzzo, Lazio, Molise
2
Q
Styles of wine made from Aglianico can be
A
- Full range from fragrant, juicy light-bodied to deep, rich, and ageworthy behemoths
3
Q
Why does Aglianico have so many synonyms/different names?
A
- locals attached the name Aglianico to any other grape variety due to fame
- It has so many different biotypes that grapevines that looked so different to non-expert eyes became other varieties when in fact they were Aglianico
For example: Aglianichello (an Aglianico characterized by small grape bunches) and Aglianico Pannarano (a toponym reffering to place of origin) are both just Aglianco
By Contrast Aglianico di Napoli (now called Tronto) shows a different SSR profile than Aglianico
4
Q
What are the 3 most famous biotypes of Aglianico?
A
- Taurasi
- Taburno
- Vulture
- These were long believed to be different grape varieties and each one responsible for its different characteristics and Aglianico del Vulture is still listed separately in the National Registry
5
Q
The name aglianico was first recorded in
A
- 1520
6
Q
Aglianico Grape Characteristics
A
- Aglianico has medium-small, pyramidal, usually winged compact bunches and small, round, dark blue-black berries with thick skins
- Aglianico has thick skins and therefore protection from botrytis which allows for the late harvesting of this slowly ripening grape
7
Q
Aglianco Biotype Grape differences
A
- The Taurasi biotype has more cylindrical bunch and smaller berries than Vulture and Taburno. It also suffers from millerandage and is less vigorous
- The Taburno biotype (also called Aglianico Amaro because of the natural high acidity: amaro means acidic in the local dialect) It is also affected by millerandage which is mostly due to non-ideal rootstock choices and boron deficiency in the soil. It is less fertile than the other two biotypes but its bunches are the largest and it ripens sooner and usually with higher sugar and acid concentrations
- The del Vulture variety usually expresses the most intense fruit aromas and flavors
8
Q
Aglianico new biotypes
A
- There are also new biotypes being developed like the new Taurasi biotype called Redimore being developed by the Mastroberardino estate
9
Q
Aglianico del Vulture Clones
A
- VCR 11
- VCR 14
- UNIMI-VITIS-AGV VV 401
- UNIMI-VITIS-AGV VV 404
- Ampelos VCP-VL5
*
these are the Aglianico del Vulture seletions developed between 1997 and 2012*
10
Q
Campanian Aglianico Clones
A
- VCR 7
- VCR 2
- VCR 13
- VCR 23
- VCR III
- VCR 106
- VCR 109
- VCR 103
- AV 02
- AV 05
- AV 09
- UNIMI-VITIS-AGT VV 421,
- UNIMI-VITIS-AGT VV 411,
- BN 1.09.014,
- BN 1.09.025,
- AMPELOS TEA 22,
- AMPELOS TEA 23:
selections developed between 1997-2008)
11
Q
Puglia Aglianico Clones
A
- CRSA Puglia D382
- CRSA Puglia D386
These are two clones recently developed in Puglia which are plantings of the VCR 2 clones which yields bigger, blacker wines
12
Q
Aglianico ripening
A
- Aglianico has thick skins and therefore protection from botrytis which allows for the late harvesting of this slowly ripening grape
- Aglianico is often the latest of all great red wine grapes to be picked
- Aglianico performs best in long and dry autums where the tannins and high acidity can soften
- The late season harvesting does expose the grape to vagaries of autumn weather: although it is a resistant variety, in wet years Peronospora can be a problem while in hot and dry years Aglianico can also suffer
13
Q
Aglianico altitudes
A
- Aglianico grows very well even at high altitudes 600-700 m asl where most red grapes would not achieve optimum ripeness. Aglianico can achieve some of the worlds richest and greatest wines at these altitudes
14
Q
Aglianico Terroir Influence
A
- Although the variety is capable of translating site specific nuances into the glass: it always preserves identify wherever it grows.
- So unlike Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir, Aglianico tends to dominate the terroir much like Cab sav or merlot
15
Q
Important Aglianico DOCGs
A
- Taurasi DOCG
- Del Vulture DOCG
- Taburno DOCG
16
Q
Important Aglianico DOCs
A
- Cilento
- Sannio
- Gallucio
17
Q
Aglianico IGTs
A
- Colli Cimini
- Colline Pescaresi
- Daunia
18
Q
Aglianico Blends
A
- Aglianico is great on its own but is often blended with other varities that play a softening role
- In Taurasi, 15% of grapes can be other varieties although traditionally the fresher and more aromatic Piedirosso
- In Puglia, Primitivio to make faster-maturing, fruitier wines
- Abruzzo & Molise: Montepuliciano
- Vulture & Taburno: 100% aglianico don’t fucking change it
19
Q
No matter where it grows, Aglianico wines share certain features:
A
- They will always be firm, savory red wines with real mineral rather than animal or vegetable nuance and plenty of fruit to go along with great structure and depth
- If the grapes are not allowed to become over-ripe, the wines will express a lovely floral note like red roses and smiliar to Nebbiolo
20
Q
Aglianico loves certain soil:
A
- Great aglianico wines usually come from volcanic soils, the complex geology and slightly cooler microclimate of these sites allow for the development of smoky and spicy notes which complemets the:
- Red rose and sour cherry of Taurasi
- The leather and herbs of Taburno
- The rich plum and mineral nuances from Vulture
21
Q
Taurasi is prized for:
A
- Taurasi is prized not just for volcanic soils but also the altitude which climb to more than 500 m asl providing hot, sunny days and cool nights: this diurnal shift help develop the aromas and provide a slow ripening
- Taurasi wines are similar in aroma and flavor of nebbiolo though Taurasi wine made with the VCR 2 clone need a lot of aeration for the typical floral note of Taurasi to emerge
This similarity to Nebbiolo was the reason that Aglianico wine was shipped to northern Italy (Bordeaux as well) in weak vintages of more famous wines made in the early 20th century
22
Q
Taburno
A
- The Taburno area of Campania is much less famous and up until 1980s, wine production here was mainly about quantity. Now its about quality. The taburno area is mosly on the eastern side of the taburno mountain wher the soils are heavily clay-calcareous and where the day-night temp differences are even higher than Taurasi.
- Taburno has considerable summer rainfall and generally a cooler microclimate so here we have higher acidity, lighter frames, and dope fragrance
23
Q
Vulture vs Taurasi & Taburno
A
- Taburno and Taurasi are often bested by Vulture in Basilicata. Unfortunatley to ian, the many areas of Vulture should express different styles but many growers plant all 3 biotypes which means nuances are lost
24
Q
The issue with reserva wines
A
- Unfortuneatly, some Campanian producers still believe riserva wines must be made from practically overripe grapes
25
Common aglianico winemaking options
* Pre-fermentaion macerations help intensify color and red/black aromas
* The use of reductive winemaking helps avoid burning off aromas
* Both small and large oak barrels are fine with Aglianico but best not go crazy with new oak
26
Young Aglianico
* When young, Aglianico wines have a strong balsamic note that can be muted by oak and age
* Young Aglianco wines have red cherry, violet, rose, and red berries much like Nebbiolo
-- These are the result of Beta-Ionone, linalool, Beta Damascenone, and Ethyl Cinnamte
27
A molecule in Aglianico that smells of strawberry and that is also found in Nebbiolo wine
* Furaneol
* Much of Furaneol is bound and is released slowly overtime into its free form, which means the strawberry flavor can develop over a long period of time—this helps us understand why aglianico maintains a strong red fruit personality even with age
28
() are also important in the formation of typical aglianico perfume
Esters
29
Methozypyrazines
* Aglianico also expresses methoxypyrazines when not ripe, so green aromas and flavors are possible but rare
## Footnote
Gotta be a bad vintage, bad winemaker, or bad terroir
30
Aglianico performs best on which soil type?
* volcanic sand and conglomerate-rich, generally loosely packed soils that contain vigor and ensure medium or low grapevine productivity
* The best examples are grown at higher elevations, so a potential problem is making sure the grapes ripen fully
31
Taburno brief history
* The Taburno area of Campania is much less famous and up until 1980s, wine production here was mainly about quantity. Now its about quality.
There are many outstanding varieties now including Coda di Volpe Bianca Grape
32
When did Taburno get DOC/DOCG status?
* DOC in 1986
* DOCG in 2011
33
What are the 13 municipalities associated with Taburno Aglianico
* Apollosa,
* Bonea
* Campoli del Monte Taburno
* Castelposo
* Foglianise
* Montesarchio
* Paupisi
* Toreecuso
* Ponte
* Benevento
* Cautano
* Tocco Caudio
* Vitulano.
34
Taburno location and soils
* The taburno area is mosly on the eastern side of the taburno mountain wher the soils are heavily clay-calcareous and where the day-night temp differences are even higher than Taurasi.
35
Taburno has a slightly cooler microclimate and so the resulting wines have:
* higher acidity, lighter frames, and dope fragrance
* Taburnos aglianico has high acid levels, an austere mouthfeel, great freshness and elegance
36
taburno rainfall
* considerable summer rainfall
37
4 main soil types of Taburno
* **Marly-Calcareous and Sandstone soils** of the sannio (most important)
* **Clay soils** of the high Sannio and high Irpinia
* **Alluvial terraces** of the high and middle Volturno River Basin
* The loswer slopes on the internal-area **calcareous reliefs**
38
Taburno can be split up into 2 sections:
* The northereastern section
* The southern section
39
The northeastern section of Taburno
* the most planted:
* Torrecuso is the township with the most plantings, followed by Foglianise, Paupisi, and Vitulano:
* Most vineyards are at 400 m asl and are east facing.
* The micro climate is slightly warmer than elsewhere in Taburno and the soils are typically calcareous-clay
40
The southern section of Taburno
* The southern section of the Taburno between Monea and Montesarchio grow at much higher altitudes roughly 500 m asl and some at 600 m asl
* This means the southern section has a much cooler mesoclimate and the Aglianico wines have even higher acidity and more austere mouthfeels partly due to the calcareous content)
41
Taburno Harvest date
* Aglianico grapes are picked in the second half of October and the first 10 days of November
42
Taburno typical wine note
* Typical notes of Tobacco which is not found elsewhere as well as delicate herbal or aromatic underbrush note
## Footnote
These nuances are lost with overripe grapes
43
Taurasi brief history, number of communes, and size
* Named first docg wine in southern Italy in 1993
* 17 communes and the wines have a clear link to them much like in Burgundy.
* Taurasi has 500 ha of vines and so is not huge
44
Taurasi topography/shape
* It is cut in half by the calore river and has a very hilly topography with small vineyard pockets at a huge array of altitude, exposures, gradients, and vineyard extensions
* Many differing meso and microclimates
45
Other grapes grown in Taurasi
* Aglianico is main grape followed by Piedirosso which can be 15% of blend but almost all are 100%
46
Taurasi Climate/vineyard elevations/Rain
* most vineyards are 300-600 m asl
* Huge diurnal range
* Less rainfall than at the coast and June-august sees least rainfall
47
Taurasi Harvest date
* The cool late season environment means harvests are late October into November but because of topography, harvest can happen 2-3 weeks between warmer and cooler areas
48
Taurasi training methods
* Training methods are cordon with spur pruning and Guyot and 1 meter between vines
49
taurasi soil overview
* Taurasi soils are highly complex: while sharing the same calcareous clay base, there is highly variable presence of volcanic elements such as Lapilli, Tuff (volcanic not limestone), pumice, and ash. Depending on the subzone, varying degrees of alluvial sediments
50
There are 7 macrosoils of Taurasi but the 4 most important are:
* Marly-calcareous and marly-sandstone soils of the Sannio and Irpinia
* Clay soils of Irpinia
* Marly-calcareous and marly-sandstone soils of high Sannio and the Sele river valley
* Clay soils of high sannio, the high sannio, high irpinia, and the high sele river valley
## Footnote
The first two have the most area under vine
51
The 4 major soil subtrates of Taurasi are:
* Marly sandstone
* clay and clay-calcareous
* sands and conglomerates
* fluviolacustrine/alluvial
52
The two most important factors in Taurasi for quality grapes are
1. The altitude
2. Physical/chemical properties of the soil
## Footnote
exposure plays lesser role
53
The vines in Taurasi grow in 3 altitude bands:
* 300m
* 400m
* 500m
* The highest elevation sites ripen more slowly and have difficulty accumulating sugars and high highest acidity levels
* The lowest sites have highest alcohol levels and the most intense color
* The vines in the middle are intermediate and have characterisitcs of both
54
Major Soil Substrates and their resulting wine style:
* Clay and calcareous soils give more ageworthy, deeper colored wines. They have good but not exceptional intensity of red and blue fruit
* Aglianico grown on alluvial fluviolacustrine soils (mostly found below 400m asl) give wines that have good balance and memorable intensity and power provided the yields are kept low: slightly lower total acidity and higher alcohol than when grown on other soil types
* Marls and sandstone produce aglianco with potentially higher yields and are not super complex and have lower alcohol and higher acidity. Unless vigor is curbed the wines will be good for early consumption
55
Taurasi can be split into 4 subzones
* The northwestern Subzone
* The western subzone
* The north-central subzone and specific Taurasi district
* The Southern Subzone
56
Taurasi Northwestern subzone
* Left of Calore river with lowest altitudes 300-350m asl
* Microclimate is warm and therefore aglianco is picked earlier
* Slopes are not steep and soils are homogenous: mainly marl with a little loose sand and loam, especially near Venticano where water stress can be a problem. Unlike Pietradefusi
* The alkaline and subalkaline soils have plenty of organic matter and high levels of potassium and low levels of Phosphorus
* These taurasi’s are broader, fleshier and earthier than all the others and have sneaky ageworthiness
57
Taurasi Western Subzone
* Lapio, San Mango sul Calore, Montemiletto, and Montefalcione
* This subzone is famously devoted to Fiano production and Lapio and Montefalcione are the only 2 Taurasi townships also includes in the Fiano di Avellino DOCG
* Slopes are steep and harvest happens at the end of October or early November
* Soils are mainly clay but contain the most copius volcanic elements (pumice)
* These are very refined, flinty wines that have good flesh and power but less so than other subzones
58
o The north-central subzone and specific Taurasi district
* Right of the Calore river
* Bonito, Fontanarosa, Luogosano, Mirabella Eclano, Santangelo all’Esca, and Taurasi
* Soils have higher proportion of gravel mixed with clay and a strong component of volcanic ash especially near Taurasi has different terroir than the rest of the subzone
* Slopes are not super steep but steeper than northern subzone and the microclimate is a little cooler with a more rugged topography, narrow valleys, and smaller vineyard plots, less sunshine, and larger forest
* Grapes are picked relatively early end of October to early November
* High potassium, low phosphorus levels, and low organic matter
* Slightly large subzone so there are often differences in wine style based on altitude and grape growing methods
59
Taurasi district
* 350-400m asl
* Topography is less rugged with flatter slopes and different soils that are deep and rich with organic matter and mostly calcareous with a strong volcanic ash component
* These wines often have greater depth and better balance than the rest of the subzone
* Can be futher subdivided into 4 microclimates corresponding to four plateaus:
Piano di Montevergine
Contrada Paludisi
Contrada Case d’Alto
Piano d’Angelo
* All 4 plateaus have strong volcanic and loamy elements, good drainage, and plenty of sunlight
* They are basically grand crus of Aglianico production
60
Taurasi southern subzone
* Snakes out into the high valley of the Calore river
* Castelvetere sul Calore, Paternopoli, Castelfranci, Montemarano
* Soils are more loamy and clay rich and vines generally grow from 500-600m asl some even at 700m
* This has a much cooler climate and Aglianico is picked latest here- mid-november dates are not unheard of
* Some of the most powerful Taurasi’s
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Taurasi Cru
**Castelfranci: **
* Contrada Baiano
* Contrada Valle
**Lapio**
* Compore
**Montemarano**
* Jampenne
**Montelmiletto**
* Vigna Quattro Conifini
**Taurasi**
* Coste
* Contrada Paludisi
* Contrada Case d’Alto
* Piano d’Angelo
* Piano di Montevergine
62
Vulture location and topography
* Northern Basilicata
* Vulture’s production area opens up to the Adriatic sea ensuring a cooler mesoclimate than Taurasi
* Mount Vulture also creates a barrier to the extremely hot winds blowing in from Africa
63
Vulture Soils
* The high content of clay-rich volcanic tuff soils that are located at higher elevations allows for water to be released slowey when environmental conditions get too dry
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